Gastro-jejunal feeding device

Abstract

A device is disclosed for supplying food and medication to a patient, the device being inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach for feeding into the stomach and/or the jejunum. The device may also be used to feed directly into the jejunum by by-passing the stomach. The device is secured in place by an inflatable balloon within the stomach, or by a plate if the stomach is by-passed, and by an adjustable ring on the abdominal wall. The adjustable ring also prevents ingestion of the device into the stomach. During use, the ring can be retracted to permit cleaning of the stoma area. The ring can be perforated and ribbed to provide improved ventilation of the stoma area during use. The device can be employed with conventional surgically formed procedures, and is replaceable. Servicing of the device can be made at home, rather than at a hospital.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for feeding into a patient's jejunum, comprising: a. an elongate, jejunal feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and a perforated outlet end positioned within the patient's stomach;   b. an inflatable balloon structure mounted around the tube and positioned near the outlet end of the tube;   c. an inflation valve mounted near the inlet end of the tube;   d. a valve line connected to the valve and providing an outlet port within the balloon structure, the valve line being positioned adjacent the feeding tube;   e. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and,   f. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the balloon is deflated, the feeding tube may be inserted through a stomach placed stoma and into the patient's jejunum;   ii. when the balloon is inflated through the valve and valve line, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma;   iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the balloon and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient;   iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and,   v. when the balloon is deflated, retraction of the ring enables the device to be removed from the patient.     
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, which provides a gastrostomy tube surrounding the jejunal tube, the balloon and locking ring being mounted on the gastrostomy tube, the gastrostomy tube including a feeding inlet and closure plug therefor, the gastrostomy tube being adapted to feed and drain the stomach. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2, comprising a connector for securing the jejunal tube and gastrostomy tube and their respective inlet ends. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1, constructed of a medical grade silicone elastomer, and the like. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1, in which the spaced ridges of the locking ring are arranged radially of the ring. 
     
     
       6. A method for jejunal feeding, comprising: a. inserting a jejunal tube through a stomach placed stoma and into a patient's jejunum; and,   b. supplying food through the tube to the patient's jejunum, the said tube comprising: 1. an elongate feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet and mounted on the outer extension and a perforated outlet end positioned within the patient's jejunum;   2. an inflatable balloon structure mounted around the tube and positioned near the outlet end of the tube;   3. an inflation valve mounted near the inlet end of the tube;   4. a valve line connected to the valve and providing an outlet port within the balloon structure, the valve line being positioned adjacent the feeding tube;   5. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and,   6. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the balloon is deflated the feeding tube may be inserted through a stomach placed stoma and into the patient's jejunum;   ii. when the balloon is inflated through the valve and valve line, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma;     iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the balloon and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and,   v. when the balloon is deflated, retraction of the ring enables the device to be removed from the patient.       
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, comprising constructing the device of a medical grade silicone elastomer, and the like. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6, comprising surrounding the jejunal tube with a gastrostomy tube, the balloon and locking ring being mounted on the gastrostomy tube, the gastrostomy tube including a feeding inlet and closure plug therefor, the gastrostomy tube being adapted to feed and drain the stomach. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 6, comprising securing the jejunal tube and gastrostomy tube and their respective inlets by means of a connector. 
     
     
       10. A device for feeding into a patient's jejunum, comprising: a. an elongate, jejunal feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's jejunum, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and a perforated outlet end positioned within the patient's jejunum;   b. a flexible plate mounted around the tube and positioned about midway, thereof;   c. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and,   d. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the feeding tube is inserted through a jejunal placed stoma it will be secured within the stoma by means of the plate which forms a seal with the stoma;   ii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engaement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the balloon and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; and,   iii. retraction of the ring against the force of frictional engagement enables the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned.     
     
     
       11. The device of claim 10, in which the spaced ridges of the locking ring are arranged radially of the ring. 
     
     
       12. A method for jejunal feeding, comprising: a. inserting a jejunal tube through a stomach placed stoma and into a patient's jejunum; and,   b. supplying food through the tube to the patient's jejunum, the said tube comprising: 1. an elongate, jejunal feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's jejunum, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and a perforated outlet end positioned within the patient's jejunum;   2. a flexible plate mounted around the tube and positioned about midway, thereof;   3. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and,   4. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the feeding tube is inserted through a jejunal placed stoma it will be secured within the stoma by means of the plate which forms a seal with the stoma;   ii. adjustment of the ring will secure the device to the patient's body by frictional engagement with the feeding tube and prevent the device from being drawn into the patient's stomach; and,   iii. retraction of the ring against the force of frictional engagement enables the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned.